Marella Cruises’ brand-new family-friendly ship, Marella Voyager, has made her grand debut in a glittering event in sunny Malaga.
The ship is the fifth in Marella’s fleet of modern and comfortable ships, equipped with 16 restaurants, 10 bars, a warm pool deck and an indoor cinema.
Marella Voyager’s official christening and launch, held last week, was attended by several Tui UK & Ireland staff, travel agents and suppliers, including TUI’s Chief Purser Tatyana Olkhovska, and Senior Destination Services Operations Manager Jacqui Nobile, Godmothers of the new ship.
Tatyana and Jacqui were awarded the esteemed titles as a nod to their long careers with TUI and their experience in the cruise industry. Tatyana – known as Tatty – joined Marella Cruises in 2003 as a receptionist and quickly made an impact on the established cruise line.
In 2017 Tatty was appointed Chief Purser, and today her daughter Alina has even joined Marella herself as part of the line’s Destination Services team.
Jacqui joined TUI in 1994 as an Overseas Representative in Menorca, but in 1996 she took the plunge into cruising and has since worked in various Marella senior leadership roles.
They both officially named the ship, alongside Captain Steve James, who released the traditional champagne bottle to formally christen the ship.
Following the formalities of the event, British songwriter and pop star Becky Hill serenaded guests with a performance of some of her greatest hits and a mesmerising fireworks display rounded off the evening before the ship set sail on its shakedown cruise to Palma, Majorca.
Marella Voyager is now sailing on her maiden season around the gorgeous Mediterranean, making port calls in Italy, France, Spain and more destinations until October. The ship will spend more time in the sun in the Caribbean this winter and festive season, calling at ports in Barbados, British Virgin Islands, St Kitts, Antigua and more.
